7-azaindoles and the use thereof as therapeutic agents

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to substituted 7-azaindoles, process for their preparation, pharmaceutical preparations which comprise these compounds, and the pharmaceutical use of these compounds, which are inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4, as active ingredients for the treatment of disorders which can be influenced by inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 activity in particular in immunocompetent cells (e.g. macrophages and lymphocytes) by the compounds of the invention.

This application claims priority from German Patent Application 103 18610.7 filed Apr. 24, 2003, hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to substituted 7-azaindoles, process for theirpreparation, pharmaceutical preparations which comprise these compounds,and the pharmaceutical use of these compounds, which are inhibitors ofphosphodiesterase 4, as active ingredients for the treatment ofdisorders which can be influenced by inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4activity in particular in immunocompetent cells (e.g. macrophages andlymphocytes) by the compounds of the invention.

Activation of cell membrane receptors by transmitters leads toactivation of the second messenger system. Adenylate cyclase synthesizesthe active cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) respectively from AMPand GMP. cAMP and cGMP lead for example in smooth muscle cells torelaxation, and in inflammatory cells to inhibition of mediator releaseand synthesis. The second messengers cAMP and cGMP are degraded byphosphodiesterases (PDE). To date, 11 families of PDE enzymes (PDE1-11)are known and differ through their substrate specificity (cAMP, cGMP orboth) and the dependence on other substrates (e.g. calmodulin). Theseisoenzymes have different functions in the body and are expresseddifferently in individual cell types (Beavo, J. A., Conti, M. andHeaslip, R. J., Multiple cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases. Mol.Pharmacol. 1994, 46:399–405; Hall, I. P., Isoenzyme selectivephosphodiesterase inhibitors: potential clinical uses, Br. J. clin.Pharmacol. 1993, 35:1–7). Inhibition of the various PDE isoenzyme typesresults in accumulation of cAMP or cGMP in cells, which can be utilizedtherapeutically (Torphy, T. J., Livi, G. P., Christensen, S. B. NovelPhosphodiesterase Inhibitors for the Therapy of Asthma, Drug News andPerspectives 1993, 6:203–214).

The predominant PDE-isoenzyme in cells important for allergicinflammations (lymphocytes, mast cells, eosinophilic granulocytes,macrophages) is that of type 4 (Torphy, J. T. and Undem, B. J.,Phosphodiesterase inhibitors: new opportunities for the treatment ofasthma. Thorax 1991, 46:512–523). Inhibition of PDE 4 by suitableinhibitors is therefore regarded as an important approach to the therapyof a large number of allergically induced disorders (Schudt, Ch., Dent,G., Rabe, K, Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors, Academic Press London 1996).

An important property of phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors is inhibition ofthe release of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) from inflammatory cells.TNFα is an important proinflammatory cytokine which influences a largenumber of biological processes. TNFα is released for example fromactivated macrophages, activated T lymphocytes, mast cells, basophils,fibroblasts, endothelial cells and astrocytes in the brain. It hasitself an activating effect on neutrophils, eosinophils, fibroblasts andendothelial cells, whereby various tissue-damaging mediators arereleased. The effect of TNFα in monocytes, macrophages and T lymphocytesis increased production of further proinflammatory cytokines such asGM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) orinterleukin-8. Owing to its proinflammatory and catabolic effect, TNFαplays a central role in a large number of disorders such asinflammations of the respiratory tract, inflammations of the joints,endotoxic shock, tissue rejections, AIDS and many other immunologicaldisorders. Thus, phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors are likewise suitablefor the therapy of such disorders associated with TNFα.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) are widespread in thepopulation and also have great economic importance. Thus, COPD disordersare the cause of about 10–15% of all illness costs in the developedcountries, and about 25% of all deaths in the USA are attributable tothis cause (Norman, P.: COPD: New developments and therapeuticopportunities, Drug News Perspect. 11 (7), 431–437, 1998). The WHOestimates that COPD will become the third-commonest cause of death inthe next 20 years.

The pathological condition of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases(COPD) encompasses various pathological conditions of chronic bronchitiswith the symptoms of coughing and expectoration, and progressive andirreversible deterioration in lung function (expiration is particularlyaffected). The course of the disease is episodic and often complicatedby bacterial infections (Rennard, S. I.: COPD: Overview of definitions,Epidemiology, and factors influencing its development. Chest, 113 (4)Suppl., 235S–241S, 1998). There is a steady decline in lung functionduring the disorder, the lung becomes increasingly emphysematous, andthe patients' breathing difficulty becomes obvious. This disordermarkedly impairs the patients' quality of life (shortness of breath, lowexercise tolerance) and significantly shortens their life expectancy.Besides environmental factors, the main risk factor is smoking (Kummer,F.: Asthma and COPD. Atemw.-Lungenkrkh. 20 (5), 299–302, 1994; Rennard,S. I.: COPD: Overview of definitions, Epidemiology, and factorsinfluencing its development. Chest, 113 (4) Suppl., 235S–241S, 1998) andthus men are affected distinctly more frequently than are women.However, this picture will change in the future due to the alteration inlifestyles and the increase in the number of female smokers.

Current therapy claims only to alleviate the symptoms without affectingthe causes of the progression of the disorder. The use of long-actingbeta2 agonists (e.g. salmeterol), possibly in combination withmuscarinergic antagonists (e.g. ipratropium), improves lung functionthrough bronchodilatation and is routinely employed (Norman, P.: COPD:New developments and therapeutic opportunities, Drug News Perspect. 11(7), 431–437, 1998). Bacterial infections play a large part in theepisodes of COPD and need antibiotic treatment (Wilson, R.: The role ofinfection in COPD, Chest, 113 (4) Suppl., 242S–248S, 1998; Grossman, R.F.: The value of antibiotics and the outcomes of antibiotic therapy inexacerbations of COPD. Chest, 113 (4) Suppl., 249S–255S, 1998). Therapyof this disorder is currently unsatisfactory, especially in relation tothe continuous decline in lung function. New therapeutic approachesacting on mediators of inflammation, proteases or adhesion moleculesmight be very promising (Barnes, P. J.: Chronic obstructive disease: newopportunities for drug development, TiPS 10 (19), 415–423, 1998).

Irrespective of the bacterial infections complicating the disorder, achronic inflammation is found in the bronchi and is dominated byneutrophilic granulocytes. The mediators and enzymes released byneutrophilic granulocytes are thought inter alia to be responsible forthe observed structural changes in the respiratory tract (emphysema).Inhibition of the activity of neutrophilic granulocytes is thus arational approach to the prevention or slowing down of the progressionof COPD (deterioration in parameters of lung function). An importantstimulus for the activation of granulocytes is the proinflammatorycytokine TNFα (tumor necrosis factor). Thus, it is known that TNFαstimulates the formation of oxygen free radicals by neutrophilicgranulocytes (Jersmann, H. P. A.; Rathjen, D. A. and Ferrante, A.:Enhancement of LPS-induced neutrophil oxygen radical production by TNFα,Infection and Immunity, 4, 1744–1747, 1998). PDE4 inhibitors are able toinhibit very effectively the release of TNFα from a large number ofcells and thus suppress the activity of neutrophilic granulocytes. Thenonspecific PDE inhibitor pentoxifylline is able to inhibit both theformation of oxygen free radicals and the phagocytic ability ofneutrophilic granulocytes (Wenisch, C.; Zedtwitz-Liebenstein, K.;Parschalk, B. and Graninger, W.: Effect of pentoxifylline in vitro onneutrophil reactive oxygen production and phagocytic ability assessed byflow cytometry, Clin. Drug Invest., 13(2):99–104, 1997).

Various PDE 4 inhibitors have already been disclosed. These areprimarily xanthine derivatives, rolipram analogs or nitraquazonederivatives (review in: Karlsson, J. A., Aldos, D., Phosphodiesterase 4inhibitors for the treatment of asthma, Exp. Opin. Ther. Patents 1997,7: 989–1003). It has not been possible to date for any of thesecompounds to be used clinically. It was unavoidably found that the knownPDE4 inhibitors also have various side effects, such as nausea andemesis, which it has not to date been possible to suppress adequately.It is therefore necessary to discover novel PDE4 inhibitors withimproved therapeutic index.

Indol-3-ylglyoxylamides and processes for preparing them have alreadybeen described several times. In all cases, indoles unsubstituted inposition 3, which are synthesized by substitution in position 1 of acommercially available indole, were converted by reaction with oxalylhalides into indol-3-ylglyoxylyl halides which subsequently afford, byreaction with ammonia or with primary or secondary amines, thecorresponding indol-3-ylglyoxylamides. (Scheme 1)

Thus, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,825,734 and 3,188,313 describe variousindol-3-ylglyoxylamides which are prepared by the manner depicted inScheme 1. These compounds were used as intermediates for preparingindole derivatives produced by reductions. U.S. Pat. No. 3,642,803 alsodescribes indol-3-ylglyoxylamides.

The preparation of 5-methoxyindol-3-ylglyoxylamides is described inFarmaco 22 (1967), 229–244. Again there is reaction of the indolederivative used with oxalyl chloride, and the resultingindol-3-ylglyoxylyl chloride is reacted with an amine.

In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,231 describes indol-3-ylglyoxylamidesand processes for preparing them. Once again, the reaction steps andconditions depicted in Scheme 1 are used.

Substituted 5-hydroxyindolylglyoxylamides and6-hydroxyindolylglyoxylamides and processes for preparing them and theuse thereof as PDE4 inhibitors were described for the first time in DEpatent application 198 18 964 A1.

7-Azaindol-3-ylglyoxylamides are disclosed as PDE4 inhibitors in DEpatent application 100 53 275 A1, which also describes their preparationand use as therapeutic agents.

4- and 7-Hydroxyindole derivatives, their preparation and use as PDE4inhibitors are proposed in DE patent application 102 53 426.8.

The invention relates to substituted 7-azaindoles of the general formula1

and the physiologically tolerated salts thereof.

The compounds of the invention preferably include compounds of theformula 1 in which

-   A is an N-oxide group and B is carbon (i.e. a CH group or a group    CR³ as defined below) or nitrogen. These are the compounds of the    invention of the formula 1a

in which

-   R¹    -   (i) is —C₁₋₁₀-alkyl, straight-chain or branched-chain,        optionally mono- or polysubstituted by —OH, —SH, —NH₂,        —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NHC₆₋₁₄-aryl, —N(C₆₋₁₄-aryl)₂,        —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)(C₆₋₁₄-aryl), —NO₂, —CN, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I,        —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —O—C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —S—C₆₋₁₄-aryl,        —SO₃H, —SO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —SO₂C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —OSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl,        —OSO₂C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —COOH, —(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, —COO—C₁₋₅-alkyl,        —O(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, by mono-, bi- or tricyclic saturated or mono-        or polyunsaturated carbocycles with 3–14 ring members or/and by        mono-, bi- or tricyclic saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated        heterocycles with 5–15 ring members and 1–6 heteroatoms, which        are preferably N, O and S, where the C₆₋₁₄-aryl groups and the        carbocyclic and heterocyclic substituents in turn may optionally        be substituted one or more times by —C₁₋₆-alkyl, —OH, —NH₂,        —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NO₂, —CN, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I,        —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —SO₃H, —SO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl,        —OSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —COOH, —(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, —COO—C₁₋₅-alkyl or/and        —O(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, and where the alkyl groups on the carbocyclic        and heterocylic substituents in turn may optionally be        substituted one or more times by —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —F, —Cl, —Br,        —I, —SO₃H or/and —COOH, or    -   (ii) is —C₂₋₁₀-alkenyl, mono- or polyunsaturated, straight-chain        or branched-chain, optionally mono- or polysubstituted by —OH,        —SH, —NH₂, —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NHC₆₋₁₄-aryl,        —N(C₆₋₁₄-aryl)₂, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)(C₆₋₁₄-aryl), —NO₂, —CN, —F, —Cl,        —Br, —I, —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —O—C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl,        —S—C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —SO₃H, —SO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —SO₂C₆₋₁₄-aryl,        —OSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —OSO₂C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —COOH, —(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl,        —COO—C₁₋₅-alkyl or/and —O(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, by mono-, bi- or        tricyclic saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated carbocycles with        3–14 ring members or/and by mono-, bi- or tricyclic saturated or        mono- or polyunsaturated heterocycles with 5–15 ring members and        1–6 heteroatoms, which are preferably N, O and S,        -   where the C₆₋₁₄-aryl groups and the carbocyclic and            heterocyclic substituents in turn may optionally be            substituted one or more times by —C₁₋₆-alkyl, —OH, —NH₂,            —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NO₂, —CN, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I,            —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —SO₃H, —SO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl,            —OSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —COOH, —(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, —COO—C₁₋₅-alkyl            or/and —O(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl,        -   and where the alkyl groups on the carbocyclic and            heterocyclic substituents in turn may optionally be            substituted one or more times by —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —F, —Cl,            —Br, —I, —SO₃H or/and —COOH,-   R² is hydrogen or —C₁₋₃-alkyl,-   R³ and R⁴ may be identical or different and are hydrogen,    —C₁₋₆-alkyl, —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NO₂,    —CN, —SO₃H, —SO₃—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —COOH, —COO—C₁₋₆-alkyl,    —O(CO)—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl,    -phenyl or -pyridyl, where the phenyl or pyridyl substituents in    turn may optionally be substituted one or more times by —C₁₋₃-alkyl,    —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —NHC₁₋₃-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₃-alkyl)₂, —NO₂, —CN, —SO₃H,    —SO₃C₁₋₃-alkyl, —COOH, —COOC₁₋₃-alkyl, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I,    —O—C₁₋₃-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₃-alkyl, or/and —O(CO)C₁₋₃-alkyl, and where the    alkyl substituents in turn may optionally be substituted one or more    times by —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —SO₃H, —SO₃C₁₋₃-alkyl,    —COOH, —COOC₁₋₃-alkyl, —O—C₁₋₃-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₃-alkyl or/and    —O(CO)—C₁₋₃-alkyl.

The compounds of the invention additionally preferably include N-oxidesof the formula 1 in which

-   B is an N-oxide group. These are the compounds of the invention of    the formula 1b

in which

-   A is nitrogen,-   R¹    -   (i) is —C₁₋₁₀-alkyl, straight-chain or branched-chain,        optionally mono- or polysubstituted by —OH, —SH, —NH₂,        —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NHC₆₋₁₄-aryl, —N(C₆₋₁₄-aryl)₂,        —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)(C₆₋₁₄-aryl), —NO₂, —CN, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I,        —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —O—C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —S—C₆₋₁₄-aryl,        —SO₃H, —SO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —SO₂C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —OSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl,        —OSO₂C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —COOH, —(CO)C₁₅-alkyl, —COO—C₁₋₅-alkyl        —O(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, by mono-, bi- or tricyclic saturated or mono-        or polyunsaturated carbocycles with 3–14 ring members or/and by        mono-, bi- or tricyclic saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated        heterocycles with 5–15 ring members and 1–6 heteroatoms, which        are preferably N, O and S, where the C₆₋₁₄-aryl groups and the        carbocyclic and heterocylic substituents in turn may optionally        be substituted one or more times by —C₁₋₆-alkyl, —OH, —NH₂,        —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NO₂, —CN, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I,        —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —SO₃H, —SO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl,        —OSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —COOH, —(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, —COO—C₁₋₅-alkyl or/and        —O(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, and where the alkyl groups on the carbocyclic        and heterocyclic substituents in turn may optionally be        substituted one or more times by —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —F, —Cl, —Br,        —I, —SO₃H or/and —COOH, or    -   (ii) is —C₂₋₁₀-alkenyl, mono- or polyunsaturated, straight-chain        or branched-chain,        -   optionally mono- or polysubstituted by —OH, —SH, —NH₂,            —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NHC₆₋₁₄-aryl, —N            (C₆₋₁₄-aryl)₂, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)(C₆₋₁₄-aryl), —NO₂, —CN, —F,            —Cl, —Br, —I, —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —O—C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl,            —S—C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —SO₃H, —SO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —SO₂C₆₋₁₄-aryl,            —OSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —OSO₂C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —COOH, —(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl,            —COO—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, by mono-, bi- or            tricyclic saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated carbocycles            with 3–14 ring members or/and by mono-, bi- or tricyclic            saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated heterocycles with 5–15            ring members and 1–6 heteroatoms, which are preferably N, O            and S, where the C₆₋₁₄-aryl groups and the carbocyclic and            heterocyclic substituents in turn may optionally be            substituted one or more times by —C₁₋₆-alkyl-OH, —NH₂,            —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NO₂, —CN, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I,            —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —SO₃H, —SO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl,            —OSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —COOH, —(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, —COO—C₁₋₅-alkyl            or/and —O(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl,        -   and where the alkyl groups on the carbocyclic and            heterocyclic substituents in turn may optionally be            substituted one or more times by —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —F, —Cl,            —Br, —I, —SO₃H or/and —COOH,-   R² is hydrogen or —C₁₋₃-alkyl,-   R³ and R⁴ may be identical or different and are hydrogen,    —C₁₋₆-alkyl, —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NO₂,    —CN, —SO₃H, —SO₃—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —COOH, —COO—C₁₋₆-alkyl,    —O(CO)—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl,    -phenyl or -pyridyl, where the phenyl or pyridyl substituents in    turn may optionally be substituted one or more times by —C₁₋₃-alkyl,    —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —NHC₁₋₃-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₃-alkyl)₂, —NO₂, —CN, —COOH,    —SO₃H, —SO₃C₁₋₃-alkyl, —COOC₁₋₃-alkyl, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I,    —O—C₁₋₃-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₃-alkyl or/and —O(CO)—C₁₋₃-alkyl, and where    alkyl substituents in turn may optionally be substituted one or more    times by —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —SO₃H, —SO₃C₁₋₃-alkyl,    —COOH, —COOC₁₋₃-alkyl, —O—C₁₋₃-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₃-alkyl or/and    —O(CO)—C₁₋₃-alkyl.

The compounds of the invention additionally include N-oxides of theformula 1 in which

-   A and B are an N-oxide group. These are the compounds of the    invention of the formula 1c

in which

-   R¹    -   (i) is —C₁₋₁₀-alkyl, straight-chain or branched-chain,        optionally mono- or polysubstituted by —OH, —SH, —NH₂,        —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NHC₆₋₁₄-aryl, —N(C₆₋₁₄-aryl)₂,        —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)(C₆₋₁₄-aryl), —NO₂, —CN, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I,        —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —O—C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —S—C₆₋₁₄-aryl,        —SO₃H, —SO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —SO₂C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —OSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl,        —OSO₂C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —COOH, —(CO)C₁₅-alkyl, —COO—C₁₋₅-alkyl,        —O(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, by mono-, bi- or tricyclic saturated or mono-        or polyunsaturated carbocycles with 3–14 ring members or/and by        mono-, bi- or tricyclic saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated        heterocycles with 5–15 ring members and 1–6 heteroatoms, which        are preferably N, O and S, where the C₆₋₁₄-aryl groups and the        carbocyclic and heterocyclic substituents in turn may optionally        be substituted one or more times by —C₁₋₆-alkyl, —OH, —NH₂,        —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NO₂, —CN, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I,        —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —SO₃H, —SO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl,        —OSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —COOH, —(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, —COO—C₁₋₅-alkyl or/and        —O(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, and where the alkyl groups on the carbocyclic        and heterocyclic substituents in turn may optionally be        substituted one or more times by —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —F, —Cl, —Br,        —I, —SO₃H or/and —COOH, or    -   (ii) is —C₂₋₁₀-alkenyl, mono- or polyunsaturated, straight-chain        or branched-chain, optionally mono- or polysubstituted by —OH,        —SH, —NH₂, —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NHC₆₋₁₄-aryl,        —N(C₆₋₁₄-aryl)₂, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)(C₆₋₁₄-aryl), —NO₂, —CN, —F, —Cl,        —Br, —I, —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —O—C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl,        —S—C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —SO₃H, —SO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —SO₂C₆₋₁₄-aryl,        —OSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —OSO₂C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —COOH, —(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl,        —COO—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, by mono-, bi- or tricyclic        saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated carbocycles with 3–14 ring        members or/and by mono-, bi- or tricyclic saturated or mono- or        polyunsaturated heterocycles with 5–15 ring members and 1–6        heteroatoms, which are preferably N, O and S,        -   where the C₆₋₁₄-aryl groups and the carbocyclic and            heterocyclic substituents in turn may optionally be            substituted one or more times by —C₁₋₆-alkyl, —OH, —NH₂,            —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NO₂, —CN, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I,            —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —SO₃H, —SO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl,            —OSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —COOH, —(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, —COO—C₁₋₅-alkyl            or/and —O(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, and where the alkyl groups on the            carbocyclic and heterocyclic substituents in turn may            optionally be substituted one or more times by —OH, —SH,            —NH₂, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —SO₃H or/and —COOH,-   R² is hydrogen or —C₁₋₃-alkyl,-   R³ and R⁴ may be identical or different and are hydrogen,    —C₁₋₆-alkyl, —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NO₂,    —CN, —SO₃H, —SO₃—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —COOH, —COO—C₁₋₆-alkyl,    —O(CO)—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl,    -phenyl or -pyridyl, where the phenyl or pyridyl substituents in    turn may optionally be substituted one or more times by —C₁₋₃-alkyl,    —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —NHC₁₋₃-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₃-alkyl)₂, —NO₂, —CN, —SO₃H,    —SO₃C₁₋₃-alkyl, —COOH, —COOC₁₋₃-alkyl, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I,    —O—C₁₋₃-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₃-alkyl or/and —O(CO)C₁₋₃-alkyl, and where the    alkyl substituents in turn may optionally be substituted one or more    times by —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —SO₃H, —SO₃C₁₋₃-alkyl,    —COOH, —COOC₁₋₃-alkyl, —O—C₁₋₃-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₃-alkyl or/and    —O(CO)—C₁₋₃-alkyl.

Preferred compounds of the formula 1 are those in which R¹ is anoptionally substituted C₁₋₄-alkyl radical, particularly preferably a C₁radical, with a cyclic substituent. The cyclic substituents arepreferably C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl groups or C₅₋₁₀-aryl or heteroaryl radicals,e.g. phenyl or naphthyl radicals, which may have at least onesubstituent selected from halogen, i.e. —F, —Cl, —Br or —I, —OH, —NO₂,—CN, —CH₃, —OCH₃ and —CF₃.

R² is preferably H or —CH₃. At least one of R³ and R⁴ is preferablyhalogen, i.e. —F, —Cl, —Br or —I. R³ and R⁴ are particularly preferablyhalogen, e.g. —Cl.

The invention further relates to physiologically tolerated salts of thecompounds of formula 1.

The physiologically tolerated salts are obtained in a conventional wayby neutralizing the bases with inorganic or organic acids or byneutralizing the acids with inorganic or organic bases. Examples ofsuitable inorganic acids are hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid,phosphoric acid or hydrobromic acid, and examples of suitable organicacids are carboxylic or sulfonic acids, such as acetic acid, tartaricacid, lactic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, malonic acid, maleicacid, fumaric acid, tannic acid, succinic acid, alginic acid, benzoicacid, 2-phenoxybenzoic acid, 2-acetoxybenzoic acid, cinnamic acid,mandelic acid, citric acid, malic acid, salicylic acid, 3-aminosalicylicacid, ascorbic acid, embonic acid, nicotinic acid, isonicotinic acid,oxalic acid, amino acids, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid,2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, ethane-1,2-disulfonic acid,benzenesulfonic acid, 4-methylbenzenesulfonic acid ornaphthalene-2-sulfonic acid. Examples of suitable inorganic bases aresodium hydroxide solution, potassium hydroxide solution, ammonia, andsuitable organic bases are amines, but preferably tertiary amines suchas trimethylamine, triethylamine, pyridine, N,N-dimethylaniline,quinoline, isoquinoline, α-picoline, β-picoline, γ-picoline, quinaldineor pyrimidine.

Physiologically tolerated salts of the compounds of formula 1 canadditionally be obtained by converting derivatives having tertiary aminogroups in a manner known per se with quaternizing agents into thecorresponding quaternary ammonium salts. Examples of suitablequaternizing agents are alkyl halides such as methyl iodide, ethylbromide and n-propyl chloride, but also arylalkyl halides such as benzylchloride or 2-phenylethyl bromide.

The invention further relates to the D form, the L form and D,L mixturesof compounds of the formula 1 which contain an asymmetric carbon atom,and in the case of a plurality of asymmetric carbon atoms, also thediastereomeric forms. Compounds of the formula 1 which containasymmetric carbon atoms and usually result as racemates can be separatedinto the optically active isomers in a manner known per se, for examplewith an optically active acid. However, it is also possible to employ anoptically active starting substance from the outset, in which case acorresponding optically active or diastereomeric compound is obtained asfinal product.

The compounds of the invention have been found to have pharmacologicallyimportant properties which can be utilized in therapy. The compounds offormula 1 can be employed alone, in combination with one another or incombination with other active ingredients.

The compounds of the invention are inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4. Itis therefore an aspect of this invention that the compounds of formula 1and the salts thereof, and pharmaceutical preparations which comprisethese compounds or salts thereof, can be used for the treatment ofdisorders in which inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 is beneficial.

These disorders include, for example, inflammations of joints, includingarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and other arthritic disorders suchas rheumatoid spondylitis and osteoarthritis. Further possible uses arethe treatment of patients suffering from osteoporosis, sepsis, septicshock, Gram-negative sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, respiratory distresssyndrome, asthma or other chronic pulmonary disorders, bone resorptiondisorders or transplant rejection reactions or other autoimmune diseasessuch as lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, glomerulonephritis anduveitis, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and chronicdemyelinization.

The compounds of the invention can additionally be employed for thetherapy of infections such as viral infections and parasitic infections,for example for the therapy of malaria, leishmaniasis, infection-relatedfever, infection-related muscle pain, AIDS and cachexia, and ofnon-allergic rhinitis.

The compounds of the invention can likewise be used for the therapy ofhyperproliferative disorders, in particular of cancers, for example forthe therapy of melanomas, of breast cancer, lung cancer, bowel cancer,skin cancer and of leukemias.

The compounds of the invention can also be employed as bronchodilatorsand for the treatment of asthma, e.g. for asthma prophylaxis.

The compounds of formula 1 are in addition inhibitors of theaccumulation of eosinophils and the activity thereof. Accordingly, thecompounds of the invention can also be employed for disorders in whicheosinophils are involved. These disorders include, for example,inflammatory respiratory tract disorders such as bronchial asthma,allergic rhinitis, allergic conjuctivitis, atopic dermatitis, eczemas,allergic angiitis, eosinophil-mediated inflammations such aseosinophilic fasciitis, eosinophilic pneumonia and PIE syndrome(pulmonary infiltration with eosinophilia), urticaria, ulcerativecolitis, Crohn's disease and proliferative skin disorders such aspsoriasis or keratosis.

It is an aspect of this invention that the compounds of formula 1 andsalts thereof are also able to inhibit LPS-induced pulmonaryneutrophilic infiltration in rats in vivo. The pharmacologicallysignificant properties which have been found prove that the compounds offormula 1 and salts thereof, and pharmaceutical preparations whichcomprise these compounds or salts thereof, can be utilizedtherapeutically for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonarydiseases.

The compounds of the invention additionally have neuroprotectiveproperties and can be used for the therapy of diseases in whichneuroprotection is beneficial. Examples of such disorders are seniledementia (Alzheimer's disease), memory loss, Parkinson's disease,depression, strokes and intermittent claudication.

Further possible uses of the compounds of the invention are theprophylaxis and therapy of prostate disorders such as, for example,benign prostate hyperplasia, polyuria, nocturia, and the treatment ofincontinence, of colic induced by urinary calculi, and of male andfemale sexual dysfunctions.

Finally, the compounds of the invention can likewise be used to inhibitthe development of drug dependence on repeated use of analgesics suchas, for example, morphine, and to reduce the development of tolerance onrepeated use of these analgesics.

The drug products are produced by using an effective dose of thecompounds of the invention or salts thereof, in addition to conventionaladjuvants, carriers and additives. The dosage of the active ingredientsmay vary depending on the route of administration, age and weight of thepatient, nature and severity of the disorders to be treated and similarfactors. The daily dose may be given as a single dose to be administeredonce a day, or divided into 2 or more daily doses, and is usually0.001–100 mg. Daily dosages of 0.1–50 mg are particularly preferablyadministered.

Oral, parenteral, intravenous, transdermal, topical, inhalational andintranasal preparations are suitable as administration form. Topical,inhalational and intranasal preparations of the compounds of theinvention are particularly preferably used. Galenical pharmaceuticalpresentations such as tablets, coated tablets, capsules, dispersiblepowders, granules, aqueous solutions, aqueous or oily suspensions,syrup, solutions or drops are used.

Solid drug forms may comprise inert ingredients and carriers such as,for example, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, sodium phosphate,lactose, starch, mannitol, alginates, gelatin, guar gum, magnesiumstearate or aluminum stearate, methylcellulose, talc, colloidal silicas,silicone oil, high molecular weight fatty acids (such as stearic acid),agar-agar or vegetable or animal fats and oils, solid high molecularweight polymers (such as polyethylene glycol); preparations suitable fororal administration may, if desired, comprise additional flavoringsand/or sweeteners.

Liquid drug forms can be sterilized and/or where appropriate compriseexcipients such as preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents,penetrants, emulsifiers, spreading agents, solubilizers, salts, sugarsor sugar alcohols to control the osmotic pressure or for bufferingand/or viscosity regulators.

Examples of such additions are tartrate buffer and citrate buffer,ethanol, complexing agents (such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid andits non-toxic salts). Suitable for controling the viscosity are highmolecular weight polymers such as, for example, liquid polyethyleneoxide, microcrystalline celluloses, carboxymethylcelluloses,polyvinylpyrrolidones, dextrans or gelatin. Examples of solid carriersare starch, lactose, mannitol, methylcellulose, talc, colloidal silicas,higher molecular weight fatty acids (such as stearic acid), gelatin,agar-agar, calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, animal and vegetablefats, solid high molecular weight polymers such as polyethylene glycol.

Oily suspensions for parenteral or topical uses may be vegetablesynthetic or semisynthetic oils such as, for example, liquid fatty acidesters with in each case 8 to 22 C atoms in the fatty acid chains, forexample palmitic, lauric, tridecylic, margaric, stearic, arachic,myristic, behenic, pentadecylic, linoleic, elaidic, brasidic, erucic oroleic acid, which are esterified with monohydric to trihydric alcoholshaving 1 to 6 C atoms, such as, for example, methanol, ethanol,propanol, butanol, pentanol or isomers thereof, glycol or glycerol.Examples of such fatty acid esters are commercially available miglyols,isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl stearate, PEG6-capric acid, caprylic/capric esters of saturated fatty alcohols,polyoxyethylene glycerol trioleates, ethyl oleate, waxy fatty acidesters such as artificial duck preen gland fat, coco fatty acidisopropyl ester, oleyl oleate, decyl oleate, ethyl lactate, dibutylphthalate, diisopropyl adipate, polyol fatty acid esters inter alia.Likewise suitable are silicone oils differing in viscosity or fattyalcohols such as isotridecyl alcohol, 2-octyldodecanol, cetylstearylalcohol or oleyl alcohol, fatty acids such as, for example, oleic acid.It is additionally possible to use vegetable oils such as castor oil,almond oil, olive oil, sesame oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil or soybeanoil.

Suitable solvents, gel formers and solubilizers are water orwater-miscible solvents. Suitable examples are alcohols such as, forexample, ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, 2-octyldodecanol,polyethylene glycols, phthalates, adipates, propylene glycol, glycerol,di- or tripropylene glycol, waxes, methyl Cellosolve, Cellosolve,esters, morpholines, dioxane, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide,tetrahydrofuran, cyclohexanone etc.

Film formers which can be used are cellulose ethers able to dissolve orswell both in water and in organic solvents, such as, for example,hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcellulose, ethylcellulose or solublestarches.

Combined forms of gel formers and film formers are likewise perfectlypossible. Ionic macromolecules are used in particular for this purpose,such as, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylic acid,polymethacrylic acid and salts thereof, sodium amylopectinsemiglycolate, alginic acid or propylene glycol alginate as sodium salt,gum arabic, xanthan gum, guar gum or carrageenan.

Further formulation aids which can be employed are: glycerol, paraffinof differing viscosity, triethanolamine, collagen, allantoin,novantisolic acid.

It may also be necessary to use surfactants, emulsifiers or wettingagents for the formulation, such as, for example, Na lauryl sulfate,fatty alcohol ether sulfates, di-Na-N-lauryl-β-iminodipropionate,polyethoxylated castor oil or sorbitan monooleate, sorbitanmonostearate, polysorbates (e.g. Tween), cetyl alcohol, lecithin,glyceryl monostearate, polyoxyethylene stearate, alkylphenol polyglycolether, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride or mono/dialkylpolyglycol etherorthophosphoric acid monoethanolamine salts.

Stabilizers such as montmorillonites or colloidal silicas to stabilizeemulsions or to prevent degradation of the active substances, such asantioxidants, for example tocopherols or butylated hydroxyanisole, orpreservatives such as p-hydroxybenzoic esters, may likewise be necessarywhere appropriate to prepare the desired formulations.

Preparations for parenteral administration may be present in separatedose unit forms such as, for example, ampoules or vials. Solutions ofthe active ingredient are preferably used, preferably aqueous solutionsand especially isotonic solutions, but also suspensions. These injectionforms can be made available as finished product or be prepared onlyimmediately before use by mixing the active compound, e.g. thelyophilisate, where appropriate with further solid carriers, with thedesired solvent or suspending agent.

Intranasal preparations may be in the form of aqueous or oily solutionsor of aqueous or oily suspensions. They may also be in the form oflyophilisates which are prepared before use with the suitable solvent orsuspending agent.

The manufacture, bottling and closure of the products takes place underthe usual antimicrobial and aseptic conditions.

The invention further relates to processes for preparing the compoundsof the invention.

The compounds of the general formula 1 with the meanings of A, B, R¹,R², R³ and R⁴ described above are prepared according to the invention

by oxidizing compounds of the formula 1 with the meaning of R¹, R², R³and R⁴ described above, in which A is nitrogen and B may be nitrogen orcarbon, in a manner known per se by treatment with an oxidizing agent,e.g. an organic peracid, preferably with m-chloroperbenzoic acid or/andperacetic acid, to the compounds of the invention of the formula 1a, 1bor 1c. Mixtures of N-oxides which result where appropriate can beseparated in a manner known per se by crystallization or chromatographicmethods into the pure compounds of the formula 1a, 1b or 1c.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Exemplary Process for Preparing Compounds of theInvention of the Formula 1a 1.1N-(3,5-Dichloropyridin-4-yl)-[1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-7-oxo-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide

3 g ofN-(3,5-dichloropyridin-4-yl)-[1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamideare dissolved in 180 ml of dichloromethane. While stirring, a solutionof 6 g of m-chloroperbenzoic acid in 12 ml of acetic acid is addeddropwise. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 7days. The mixture is adjusted to pH 8 to 9 by adding a potassiumcarbonate solution. The phases are separated, and the organic phase iswashed with 100 ml of water. The solvent is distilled out in vacuo. Theresidue is stirred with 10 ml of isopropanol. The crystals are removedand dried at room temperature. The crude product is purified bypreparative HPLC. A mixture of ethyl acetate with methanol in the ratio85:15 is used as solvent system.

The solvent mixture is distilled from the product-containing fraction invacuo, and the residue is recrystallized from isopropanol.

Yield: 0.3 g (9.4% of theory)

Melting point: 205–208° C.

1.2N-(2,6-Dichlorophenyl)-[1-(2-chlorobenzyl)-7-oxo-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide

3.1 g ofN-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-[1-(2-chlorobenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamideare dissolved in 180 ml of dichloromethane. While stirring, a solutionof 6 g of m-chloroperbenzoic acid in 12 ml of acetic acid is addeddropwise. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 7days. The mixture is adjusted to pH 8 to 9 by adding a potassiumcarbonate solution. The phases are separated, and the organic phase iswashed with 100 ml of water. The solvent is distilled out in vacuo. Theresidue is stirred with 30 ml of water at 50° C., filtered off withsuction and recrystallized from 100 ml of isopropanol.

Yield: 1.3 g (40% of theory) Melting point: 165–168° C.

Example 2 Exemplary Process for Preparing Compounds of the Invention ofthe Formula 1b 2.1N-(3,5-Dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-[1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide

3 g ofN-(3,5-dichloropyridin-4-yl)-[1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamideare dissolved in 180 ml of dichloromethane. While stirring, a solutionof 6 g of m-chloroperbenzoic acid in 12 ml of acetic acid is addeddropwise. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 7days. The mixture is adjusted to pH 8 to 9 by adding a potassiumcarbonate solution. The phases are separated, and the organic phase iswashed with 100 ml of water. The solvent is distilled out in vacuo. Theresidue is stirred with 10 ml of isopropanol. The crystals are removedand dried at room temperature. The crude product is purified bypreparative HPLC. A mixture of ethyl acetate with methanol in the ratio85:15 is used as solvent system.

The solvent mixture is distilled from the product-containing fraction invacuo, and the residue is recrystallized from ethanol.

Yield: 1.2 g (37.5% of theory) Melting point: 233–236° C.

Example 3 Exemplary Process for Preparing Compounds of the Invention ofthe Formula 1c 3.1N-(3,5-Dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-[1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-7-oxo-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide

3 g ofN-(3,5-dichloropyridin-4-yl)-[1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamideare dissolved in 180 ml of dichloromethane. While stirring, a solutionof 6 g of m-chloroperbenzoic acid in 12 ml of acetic acid is addeddropwise. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 7days. The mixture is adjusted to pH 8 to 9 by adding a potassiumcarbonate solution. The phases are separated, and the organic phase iswashed with 100 ml of water. The solvent is distilled out in vacuo. Theresidue is stirred with 10 ml of isopropanol. The crystals are removedand dried at room temperature. The crude product is purified bypreparative HPLC. A mixture of ethyl acetate with methanol in the ratio90:10 is used as solvent system.

The solvent mixture is distilled from the product-containing fraction invacuo, and the residue is recrystallized from ethanol.

Yield: 0.2 g (6.3% of theory) Melting point: 254–257° C.

Example 4 Preparation of Further Compounds

Numerous further compounds of the formula 1 can be prepared by using theindicated processes for preparation, of which the following are cited asexamples:

(1)

Com- pound A B R¹ —R² —R³ —R⁴ 1 N—O N 4-Fluorobenzyl- —H —Cl —Cl 2 N—OCH 2-Chlorobenzyl- —H —Cl —Cl 3 N N—O 4-Fluorobenzyl- —H —Cl —Cl 4 N—ON—O 4-Fluorobenzyl- —H —Cl —Cl 5 N—O CH 4-Fluorobenzyl- —H —H —H 6 N N—O2-Fluorobenzyl- —H —Cl —Cl 7 N N—O 3-Nitrobenzyl- —H —Cl —Cl 8 N N—O2,6-Difluorobenzyl- —H —Cl —Cl 9 N N—O 2,4-Dichlorobenzyl- —H —Cl —Cl 10N—O N 2,4-Dichlorobenzyl- —H —Cl —Cl 11 N N—O 2-Chlorobenzyl- —H —Cl —Cl12 N—O N 2-Chlorobenzyl- —H —Cl —Cl 13 N—O N—O 2-Chlorobenzyl- —H —Cl—Cl 14 N—O N 2-Chlorobenzyl- —CH₃ —Cl —Cl 15 N N—O 2-Chlorobenzyl- —CH₃—Cl —Cl 16 N N—O 2-Chlorobenzyl- —CH₃ —H —H 17 N N—O 2,6-Dichlorobenzyl-—H —Cl —Cl 18 N N—O 2-Methylbenzyl- —H —Cl —Cl 19 N N—O2,6-Dimethylbenzyl- —H —Cl —Cl 20 N N—O n-Hexyl- —H —Cl —Cl 21 N N—OIsobutyl- —H —Cl —Cl 22 N N—O Cyclopropylmethyl- —H —Cl —Cl 23 N N—O1-Naphthylmethyl- —H —Cl —Cl 24 N—O N 2-Chloro-6- —H —Cl —Clfluorobenzyl 25 N N—O 2-Chloro-6- —H —Cl —Cl fluorobenzyl- 26 N—O N—O2-Chloro-6- —H —Cl —Cl fluorobenzyl- 27 N N—O 2-Difluoromethoxy- —H —Cl—Cl benzyl- 28 N N—O 2-Cyanobenzyl- —H —Cl —Cl

The compounds of the invention are strong inhibitors ofphosphodiesterase 4. Their therapeutic potential is demonstrated in vivofor example through the inhibition the asthmatic late-phase reaction(eosinophilia) and through the inhibition of LPS-induced neutrophilia inrats.

Example 5 Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibition

PDE4 activity is determined using enzyme preparations from humanpolymorphonuclear lymphocytes (PMNL). Human blood (buffy coats) wasanticoagulated with citrate. A centrifugation at 700×g at roomtemperature (RT) for 20 minutes separates the platelet-rich plasma inthe supernatant from the erythrocytes and leukocytes. The PMNLs for thePDE4 determination are isolated by a subsequent dextran sedimentationand in gradient centrifugation with Ficoll-Paque. After the cells havebeen washed twice, the erythrocytes which are still present are lysed byadding 10 ml of hypotonic buffer (155 mM NH₄Cl, 10 mM NaHCO₃, 0.1 mMEDTA, pH=7.4) at 4° C. within 6 minutes. The still intact PMNLs are thenwashed twice with PBS and lysed by ultrasound. The supernatant from acentrifugation at 4° C. and 48000×g for one hour contains the cytosolicfraction of PDE 4 and is employed for the PDE4 measurements.

The phosphodiesterase activity is assayed using a modified AmershamPharmacia Biotech method, an SPA (scintillation proximity assay).

The reaction mixtures contain buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.4), 5 mMMgCl₂, 100 μM cGMP), the inhibitors in variable concentrations and theappropriate enzyme preparation. The reaction is started by adding thesubstrate, 0.5 μM [³H]-cAMP. The final volume is 100 μl. Test substancesare made up as stock solutions in DMSO. The DMSO concentration in thereaction mixture is 1% v/v. The PDE activity is unaffected at this DMSOconcentration. After the reaction has been started by adding substrate,the samples are incubated at 37° C. for 30 minutes. The reaction isstopped by adding a defined amount of SPA beads, and the samples arecounted after one hour in a Beta counter. The nonspecific enzymicactivity (the blank) is determined in the presence of 100 μM rolipramand subtracted from the test results. The incubation mixtures for thePDE4 assay contain 100 μM cGMP in order to inhibit any contamination byPDE 3.

The IC₅₀ values for inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 determined for thecompounds of the invention were in the range from 10⁻¹⁰ to 10⁻⁵ M. Theselectivity factor in relation to PDE of types 3, 5 and 7 is from 100 to10,000

The results of PDE4 inhibition for selected use examples are compiled byway of example in the following table:

PDE 4 inhibition Compound IC₅₀ [μmol/l] 1 0.052 2 0.048 3 0.008 4 0.751

Example 6 Inhibition of Late-Phase Eosinophilia 48 h After InhalationalOvalbumin Challenge in Actively Sensitized Brown Norway Rats

Inhibition of the pulmonary eosinophilic infiltration by the substancesof the invention is tested on male brown Norway rats (200–250 g)actively sensitized against ovalbumin (OVA). The sensitization takesplace by subcutaneous injections of a suspension of 10 μg of OVAtogether with 20 mg of aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant in 0.5 ml ofphysiological saline per animal on day 1, 14 and 21. In addition tothis, the animals receive at the same time i.p. injections of 0.25 ml ofBordetella pertussis vaccine dilution per animal. On day 28 of the test,the animals are placed singly in open 1 l Plexiglas boxes connected to ahead/nose exposure apparatus. The animals are exposed to an aerosol of1.0% ovalbumin suspension (allergen challenge). The ovalbumin aerosol isgenerated by a nebulizer (Bird micro nebulizer, Palm Springs Calif.,USA) operated with compressed air (0.2 MPa). The exposure time is 1hour, with an aerosol of 0.9% saline being nebulized for normal controlslikewise for 1 hour.

48 hours after the allergen challenge there is a massive migration ofeosinophilic granulocytes into the lungs of the animals. At this time,the animals are anesthetized with an overdose of ethylurethane (1.5 g/kgof body weight i.p.), and a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is carried outwith 3×4 ml of Hank's balanced solution. The total cell count and thenumber of eosinophilic granulocytes in the pooled BAL liquid aresubsequently determined using an automatic cell differentiationinstrument (Bayer Diagnostics Technicon H1E). The eosinophils (EOS) inthe BAL are calculated for each animal in 10⁶/animal: EOS/μl×BALrecovery (ml)=EOS/animal.

Two control groups (nebulization of physiological saline andnebulization of OVA solution) are included in each test.

The percentage inhibition of the eosinophilia in the test group treatedwith the substance is calculated by the following formula:{((OVAC−SC)−(OVAD−SC))/(OVAC−SC)}×100%=% inhibition(SC=control group treated with vehicle and challenged with 0.9% saline;OVAC=control group treated with vehicle and challenged with 1% ovalbuminsuspension; OVAD=test group treated with substance and challenged with1% ovalbumin suspension)

The test substances are administered intraperitoneally or orally assuspension in 10% polyethylene glycol 300 and 0.5%5-hydroxyethylcellulose 2 hours before the allergen challenge. Thecontrol groups are treated with the vehicle in accordance with the testsubstance application form.

The compounds of the invention inhibit the late-phase eosinophilia by30% to 100% after intraperitoneal administration of 10 mg/kg and by 30%to 80% after oral administration of 30 mg/kg.

The compounds of the invention are thus particularly suitable forproducing drug products for the treatment of disorders associated withthe effect of eosinophils.

Example 7 Inhibition of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Induced PulmonaryNeutrophilia in Lewis Rats

The inhibition of pulmonary neutrophil infiltration by the substances ofthe invention is tested on male Lewis rats (250–350 g). On the day ofthe test, the animals are placed singly in open 1 l Plexiglas boxesconnected to a head/nose exposure apparatus. The animals are exposed toan aerosol from a lipopolysaccharide suspension (100 μg of LPS/ml of0.1% hydroxylamine solution) in PBS (LSP provocation). TheLPS/hydroxylamine aerosol is generated by a nebulizer (Bird micronebulizer, Palm Springs Calif., USA) operated by compressed air (0.2MPa). The exposure time is 40 minutes, with an aerosol being nebulizedfrom 0.1% hydroxylamine solution in PBS for normal controls, likewisefor 40 minutes.

6 hours after the LPS provocation there is a maximal, massive migrationof neutrophilic granulocytes into the lungs of the animals. At thistime, the animals are anesthetized with an overdose of ethylurethane(1.5 g/kg of body weight i.p.), and a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) iscarried out with 3×4 ml of Hank's balanced solution. The total cellcount and the number of neutrophilic granulocytes in the pooled BALliquid are subsequently determined using an automatic celldifferentiation apparatus (Bayer Diagnostics Technicon H1E). Theneutrophils (NEUTRO) in the BAL are calculated for each animal in10⁶/animal: NEUTRO/μl×BAL recovery (ml)=NEUTRO/animal.

Two control groups (nebulization of 0.1% hydroxylamine solution in PBSand nebulization of 100 μg of LPS/ml of 0.1% hydroxylamine solution inPBS) are included in each test.

The percentage inhibition of the neutrophilia in the test group treatedwith the substance is calculated by the following formula:{((LPSC−SC)−(LPSD−SC))/(LPSC−SC)}×100%=% inhibitionSC=control group treated with vehicle and challenged with 0.1%hydroxylamine solution; LPSC=control group treated with vehicle andchallenged with LPS (100 μg/ml of 0.1% hydroxylamine solution);LPSD=test group treated with substance and challenged with LPS (100μg/ml of 0.1% hydroxylamine solution).

The test substances are administered orally as suspension in 10%polyethylene glycol 300 and 0.5% 5-hydroxyethylcellulose 2 hours beforethe LPS provocation. The control groups are treated with the vehicle inaccordance with the test substance administration form.

The compounds of the invention inhibit the neutrophilia by 30% to 90%after oral administration of 1 mg/kg and are thus particularly suitablefor producing drug products for the treatment of disorders associatedwith the effect of neutrophils.

1. A compound of formula 1

wherein A is nitrogen, B is N—O, R¹ (i) is —C₁₋₁₀-alkyl, straight-chainor branched-chain, optionally mono- or polysubstituted by —OH, —SH,—NH₂, —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NHC₆₋₁₄-aryl, —N(C₆₋₁₄-aryl)₂,—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)(C₆₋₁₄-aryl), —NO₂, —CN, —F, —Cl —Br, —I, —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl,—O—C ₆₋₁₄-aryl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —S—C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —SO₃H, —SO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl,—SO₂C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —OSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, -OSO₂C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —COOH,—(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, —COO—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O(CO)C₁₋₅-alky, by mono-, bi- ortricyclic saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated carbocycles with 3–14ring members or by a mono-, bi- or tricyclic saturated or mono- orpolyunsaturated heterocycle with 5–15 ring members and 1–6 heteroatoms,where the C₆₋₁₄-aryl groups and the carbocyclic and heterocyclicsubstituents in turn may optionally be substituted one or more times byat least one of —C₁₋₆-alkyl, —OH, —NH₂, —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂,—NO₂, —CN, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —S —C₁₋₆-alkyl, —SO₃H,—SO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —OSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —COOH, —(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, —COO—C₁₋₅-alkylor —O(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, and where the alkyl groups on the carbocyclic andheterocyclic substituents in turn may optionally be substituted one ormore times by —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —SO₃H or —COOH, or(ii)is —C₂₋₁₀-alkenyl, mono- or polyunsaturated, straight-chain orbranched-chain, optionally mono- or polysubstituted by —OH, —SH, —NH₂,—NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NHC₀₋₁₄-aryl, —N(C₆₋₁₄-aryl)₂,—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)(C₆₋₁₄-aryl), —NO₂, —CN, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl,—O—C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —S—C₁₋₆-aIkyl, —S—C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —SO₃H —SO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl,—SO₂C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —OSO₂C₁₋₆-aIkyl, —OSO₂C₆₋₁₄-aryl, —COOH, -(CO)C₁₋₅alkyl,—COO—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —O(CO)C₁₋₅alkyl, by mono-, bi- or tricyclic saturatedor mono- or polyunsaturated carbocycles with 3–14 ring members or/and bymono-, bi- or tricyclic saturated or mono- or polyunsaturatedheterocycles with 5–15 ring members and 1–6 heteroatoms, where theC₆₋₁₄-aryl groups and the carbocyclic and heterocyclic substituents inturn may optionally be substituted one or more times by at least one of—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —OH, —NH₂, —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl, —N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NO₂, —CN, —F,—Cl, —Br, —I, —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —SO₃H, —SO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl,-OSO₂C₁₋₆-alkyl, —COOH, —(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, —COO—C₁₋₅-alkyl or—O(CO)C₁₋₅-alkyl, and where the alkyl groups on the carbocyclic andheterocylic substituents in turn may optionally be substituted one ormore times by at least one of —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —SO₃H or—COOH, R² is hydrogen or —C₁₋₃-alkyl, R³ and R⁴ may be identical ordifferent and are hydrogen, —C₁₋₆-alkyl, —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —NHC₁₋₆-alkyl,—N(C₁₋₆-alkyl)₂, —NO₂, —CN, —SO₃H, —SO₃—C₁₋₆-alkyl, —COOH,-COO-C₁₋₆-alkyl, —O(CO)—C₁₋₅-alkyl, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —O—C₁₋₆-alkyl,—S—C₁₋₆-alkyl, -phenyl or -pyridyl, where the phenyl or pyridylsubstituents in turn may optionally be substituted one or more times byat least one of —C₁₋₃-alkyl, —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —NHC₁₋₃-alkyl,—N(C₁₋₃-alkyl)₂, —NO₂, —CN, —SO₃H, —SO₃C₁₋₃-alkyl, —COOH,—COOC₁₋₃-alkyl, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —O—C₁₋₃-alkyl, —S—C₁₋₃-alkyl, or/and—O(CO)C₁₋₃-alkyl, and where the alkyl substituents in turn mayoptionally be substituted one or more times by —OH, —SH, —NH₂, —F, —Cl,—Br, —I, —SO₃H, —SO₃C₁₋₃-alkyl, —COOH, —COOC₁₋₃-alkyl, —O—C₁₋₃-alkyl,—S—C₁₋₃-alkyl or/and —O(CO)—C₁₋₃-alkyl. or a salt thereof.
 2. A compoundas claimed in claim 1 having at least one asymmetric carbon atom in theD form, the L form and D,L mixtures, and in the case of a plurality ofasymmetric carbon atoms also the diastereomeric forms.
 3. A compound asclaimed in claim 1, wherein R² is —H or —CH_(3—.)
 4. A compound asclaimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of R³ and R⁴ is a halogen atom.5. A compound as claimed in claim 3, wherein R₂ is —CH_(3.)
 6. Acompound as claimed in claim 2, wherein R² is —H or —CH_(3.)
 7. Acompound as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of R³ and R⁴ is ahalogen atom.
 8. A compound as claimed in claim 1 selected from thegroup consisting of:N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-[1-(4-flurobenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide;N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-[1-(2-fluorobenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide;N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-[1-(3-nitrobenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide;N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-[1-(2,6-difluorobenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide;N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-[1-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide;N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-[1-(2-chlorobenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide;N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-N-methyl-[1-(2-chlorobenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide;N-methyl-N-(1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-[1-(2-chlorobenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide;N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-[1-(2,6-dichlorobenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide;N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-[1-(2-methylbenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide;N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-[1(2,6-dimethylbenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide;N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-(1-hexyl-7-azaindol-3-yl)glyoxylamide;N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-(1-isobutyl-7-azaindol-3-yl)glyoxylamide;N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-(1-cyclopropylmethyl-7-azaindol-3-yl)glyoxylamide;N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-[1-naphth-1-yl-methyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylaxnide;N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-[1-(2-chloro-6-fluorobenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide;N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-[1-(2-difluoromethylbenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide;N-(3,5-dichloro-1-oxopyridin-4-yl)-[1-(2-cyanobenzyl)-7-azaindol-3-yl]glyoxylamide;and physiologically tolerated salts thereof.
 9. The compound of claim 1,wherein the heteroatoms in (i) are N,O or S.
 10. The compound of claim1, wherein the heteroatoms in (ii) are N,O or S.
 11. The compound ofclaim 9, wherein the heteroatoms in (ii) are N,O or S.
 12. A drugproduct comprising a compound according to claim 1 and at least one of aconventional physiologically tolerated carrier, diluent or excipient.13. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 1 and atleast one other active pharmaceutical agent.
 14. A process for producinga drug product as claimed in claim 12, comprising admixing said compoundwith said carrier, diluent or excipient to form the drug product.